About Detox 5

Detox 5 is an innovative programme that helps patients with opiate addiction to withdraw quickly and safely. We administer light sedation and pain relief as patients detox during our inpatient programme. We also introduce naltrexone, a non-habit forming drug that can help patients manage cravings and prevent relapse following their discharge.

Detox 5 has a success rate that speaks for itself. We have safely treated over 6,500 patients. We pride ourselves on our role in helping people reclaim their lives.

We welcome enquiries about any aspect of Detox 5 - we believe you will have full confidence in us after learning about our unique detoxification programme. If you have any queries that are not answered fully here, please do not hesitate to call us on 0800 515 282.

Why we need GP support

Detox 5 patients need all the support they can get and, in order to be admitted, patients must obtain referrals from their GPs. Without your participation, we cannot admit patients, nor provide the ongoing medical aftercare necessary for our method of opiate detoxification.

Your involvement prescribing naltrexone is key to our addiction recovery programme. We provide naltrexone during the 5-day inpatient phase as well as a short course of medication following discharge but a 12-month course of naltrexone, prescribed by you, provides a vital safety net for patients as they establish their new drug-free lives.

How do I know my patient is a good candidate for referral?

In the course of our work, we have discovered four key elements that are crucial to patient success:

1. The cooperation of a patient's general practitioner
2. The availability of a sound aftercare network
3. The support of a responsible family member or friend who can monitor daily medication
4. A strong commitment from the patients themselves

What is more, we find that our unique approach is particularly attractive to patients who:

• Have experienced painful and unsuccessful previous attempts to detox from heroin or other opiates
• Are looking to minimise their awareness of withdrawal symptoms
• Are looking for isolation from other users and complete confidentiality
• Would like a holistic approach and the close proximity of family members
• Would like a short recovery programme to minimise disruption of daily life

Why use Naltrexone?

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist used primarily in the management of opiate addiction, as well as alcohol addiction. It inhibits the opiates from binding to receptors on the brain cells and prevents patients from experiencing their usual euphoria if they should slip up and take drugs.

Naltrexone has been available in the UK for over 30 years and received its UK product license in 1988. Peer-reviewed clinical studies have shown that patients who take naltrexone have reduced opiate cravings, are more likely to remain drug-free and to do so for longer periods of time, than patients who undergo other kinds of treatment programmes.

What is more, although naltrexone removes the physical high, it is not a cure for addiction. Studies show that patients get the best results when they have strong social support networks and undergo psychosocial therapy in conjunction with their naltrexone treatments.

Naltrexone can be given orally but must be taken consistently. Recently, doctors have had some success with naltrexone implants, inserted just under the skin. This eliminates worries about patient compliance and provides patients with another treatment option. Naltrexone is considered safe and has minimal side effects.